Selectmen's Meeting - February 28, 1995
Selectmen Attending: Charles Flynn, Joseph Frisoli, Chair; Peter
Jones and Catherine Kuchinski, Clerk. Also attending: Joseph
Nugent, Executive Secretary to Board of Selectmen. Judith
Murdoch arrived at 7:35pm.
I. Opening: Chair Joseph Frisoli called meeting to order at
7:00pm requesting the signing of the warrant and bills. He read
a letter from Continental Cable requesting a proclamation be
issued for March 16, 1995 honoring Hanson Cable Volunteers.
Motion 2/28/95.1: move that the Board proclaim March 16, 1995 as
Hanson Cable Volunteer Appreciation Day. Motion by Jones with
second by Flynn. Motion carried 4-0. Nugent to draft for
signature. Board members to attend Appreciation Night at 6:30pm
at Stonehill College on March 16.
In honor of the 175th Anniversary, Kuchinski read an excerpt
entitled "The Burrage Hotel" from Elsie Calder's Looking Back.
II. Transfer of Liquor License - Stripes General Store/Liberty
Street: Jeanne M. Liberatore of Norfolk, MA appeared before the
Board on the issue on requesting a manager name change on the
existing license, the issuance of a Wine and Malt license and the
presentation of a corrected lay-out of the store. Nugent noted
that Ms. Liberatore must file a dba certificate with the Town
Clerk. Motion 2/28/95.2: move to approve the name change of
manager from Alfred Liberatore dba Stripes General Store to
Jeanne M. Liberatore dba Stripes General Store and to transfer
the license for Retail Package Goods Store selling Wine and Malt
Beverages from Alfred Liberatore to Ms. Liberatore dba Stripes
General Store with said business located at 156 Liberty Street.
Motion made by Jones with second by Flynn. Motion carried 5-0.
III. Representative Francis Marini: This is his first meeting
with the Board since his election. Meetings will be scheduled on
a regular basis to have dialogue on issues facing the community.
(1) Route 58: Marini asked to help address Hanson's concern with
the state over several issues Todesca has left hanging: status of
the bond in regards to water dept concerns as well as Route 58
resident(s) who have claims against the contractor; and, in
general, the state's position on the road come Springtime and
road concerns have not been addressed. Marini will contact the
Highway Secretary in order to attempt a meeting to air these
concerns about Todesca and the state's positions. (2) MBTA: the
issues of communication/presentations to the community; the
Assessment issue discussed. Marini noted that a study committee
on which Rep. Hynes of Marshfield is a member has begun gathering
info on the assessment process. Creative ways to possibly
consider the phasing in and then out of assessments may have to
be addressed. As of December, 1996 when the railroad is due for
completion, Hanson will have service but no assessment; Pembroke
and Duxbury which are assessed but have no service! (3) 447
telephone issue: Marini to check with Rep. Sullivan for progress
on this issue. (4) Marini's Town Hall office hours: will be the
first Monday of every month from 9 to noon. He may have evening
hours in spring. 6 people came to last session and he's looking
forward to talking with residents. (5) Marini's gift to Town of
Hanson for the 175th Anniversary was again presented to the
entire Board of Selectmen by Rep. Marini and accepted by Chair
Frisoli. The 1820 Legislative Act framed document will be on
display at the Town Hall for all to admire.
IV. Road Acceptance Petition - Drumlin Farm residents: Many
residents appeared requesting the laying out and acceptance as
public ways - Live Oak Way, Cottonwood Court, Crabapple Court and
Birchbark Drive in the Drumlin Farms subdivision. Attending were:
Karla and Steve O'Brien, Kathy Gosnell, Karen Duffy, Kathleen and
Kevin Welch, Elaine and Bob Gould, Bob Ciccolo, Ron Herlet,
Deborah Brownell, Loretta Wronski, Laurie and Bill Consolo, Judy
Dempsey, Linda and Kevin Mulrey, Greg Fall, Mary and Carlton
Miller, Beatrice and J. Fredrick MacDonald, Bonnie Henderson,
Wade Keene, Michael J. Gaeta with Phil Lindquist of the Planning
Board and Noreen O'Toole, Town Planner. Frisoli outlined memo
dated February 23, 1995 from Town Counsel on the general issue of
road acceptance procedures. O'Toole updated the Board on Town
efforts over the last few years. A consulting engineer has been
hired to verify the plan during this final inspection of the
subdivision for recommendations and what legal taking is
required. A written report will be given to Selectmen upon
completion. Acceptance of roads will formally add miles to the
Town thereby assisting the Town in obtaining more Chapter 90
funds and Cherry Sheet calculations under Highway Surveyor state
submissions. She noted she and Highway Surveyor were working
with the Old Colony Planning Council for a Pavement Management
inventory and plan of action for maintenance. Discussion
occurred on cost ($85 per month) for 11 street lights in the
subdivision. Residents are currently paying the cost but when the
Town accepts the road then the cost shifts to the Town and a
decision will have to be made on whether the lights will be on or
off depending on the Town's use criteria. O'Toole noted that the
Planning Board will present at least 12 more streets for
acceptance. She is working to complete all research for a smooth
Town Meeting presentation. Motion 2/28/95.3: move that the Board
of Selectmen state its intention to lay out the streets in the
Drumlin Farms subdivision. Motion made by Flynn with second by
Jones. Motion carried 5-0. Nugent to work with O'Toole to
draft article for March 14th and coordinate final steps for Town
Meeting. An unpaid bill of $5,000 will be presented to Town
Meeting for services rendered by BSC and Brewster Fuller on the
Drumlin Farms project and left unpaid by Meurin (developer),
Boston Five and Citizens' Bank.
V. 175th Anniversary Update: Kuchinski gave short update of
events planned to a room of residents: the March 4th planned
autographing of the Town Hall Print by Kathy Ferrara; Baked Bean
Supper at Maquan School March 11th. Displayed items: poster for
the Supper drawn by the Brownies; the t-shirt and framed gift of
the 1820 Legislative Act.
VI. Presentation of Town Flags/Frisoli: Chair Frisoli gave the
history of the project's funding and then thanked those
businesses and private citizens who privately supported the
project. Originally, private donations were sought to have a
flag stationed within the Hall of Flags of the Mass. State House.
Those contributing were: Albert and Evelyn Nicoll, Bob and
Barbara Arsenault, Casoli Sand & Gravel, Charles Mann, Charlie
and Lillian Albert, Donald Ford Insurance, Ferry's Automotive,
Hanson A.A., Hanson Kiwanis, Hanson Perm. Firefighters Assoc.
Local #2713, J & R's Indian Head Pub dba Hanson Tavern, Joe and
Maureen Frisoli, McDonald's Restaurant, Mrs. T's Barbershop,
Mutual Federal Savings, Olde Hitching Post Restaurant, President
Titanium, Rte 14 and 58 Liquors, Sullivan Brothers, Walker Clay,
and one anonymous donor. At the October 1994 Town Meeting,
additional Town funds were granted for flags to fly in Hanson at
the Town Hall and at the other public buildings. With the
assistance of America's Flag Company (owned by residents Tom and
Debby Healey) a flag was designed and manufactured which
pictorially depicts Hanson's Town Hall. Frisoli then presented an
indoor and outdoor flag to the Fire Chief, the Senior Center
represented by Mrs. Grindle (for Angela Erben), the Library
represented by Trustee Arlene Finn, and the Water Department
represented by Water Superintendent Ed Reed. A special
presentation was made to Police Chief Berry by Mr. Frisoli on
behalf of Jim, Patty and Red of J&R's Indian Head Pub dba Hanson
Tavern. They especially wanted a flag to fly at the police
station. Kuchinski lead the board and residents present in a
round of applause to Frisoli for his efforts coordinating this
project. It was also noted that the 175th Anniversary Flag was a
direct result of this project as well. Murdoch noted that the
schools should be contacted to see if the extra flags could be
flown (indoors or outdoors) at the schools.
VII. Set salary figures for elected officials: At this time of
year, Selectmen must review and set the salaries of Moderator,
Selectmen (chair and member), Town Clerk, Tree Warden, Assessors
(chair and members), Highway Surveyor, Water Commissioners (chair
and members), and Board of Health (chair and members) for the
next fiscal year. Motion 2/28/95.4: move to set the salary of
elected officials for FY96 indicating a 2% increase over FY95.
Motion made by Murdoch with second by Kuchinski. Motion carried
5-0. Therefore salaries are set as follows Moderator - $311.11,
Selectmen (chair $1,673.10 and member $1,184.47), Town Clerk -
$30,600, Tree Warden- $956.50, Assessors (chair $1,673.10 and
member $1,184.47), Highway Surveyor - $43,236.76, Water
Commissioners (chair $1,673.10 and member $1,184.47), and Board
of Health (chair $1,673.10 and member $1,184.47) for FY96.
Murdoch asked that these figures be communicated to the Wage and
Personnel Board which meets on March 1st.
VIII. Executive Session request: Motion 2/28/95.5: move to enter
into Executive Session under number 3 to hear dispatcher
grievance and to then discuss negotiation strategy for contracts
under way. Motion by Murdoch with second by Flynn. ROLL CALL
VOTE: Murdoch: Aye; Flynn: Aye; Frisoli: Aye; Jones: Aye; and
Kuchinski: Aye. Motion carried 5-0. The Board left open session
noting a vote may be possible.
IX. Return to Open Session: Upon return to open session at
10:25pm, Frisoli announced that the Board of Selectmen, by vote,
denied the grievance of dispatcher Louis Brier and expected
matter to go further. No other votes taken.
X. Action Requests: (1) Jones noted a Globe article reporting a
failing grade for Hanson's recycling efforts. Nugent informed
the Board that the Board of Health had given incorrect figures
for the report. Jones asked that the corrected figures be given
to the State and to the local papers to have the true information
out to the residents. Halifax Selectman Ed Giampetro to be
contacted to see if he could assist Hanson's recycling efforts.
It was also noted that 3.1 million in grants is available.
Kuchinski noted that a recycling committee had previously been
active, however, the support from the Board of Health appeared
not strong; now that might have changed and maybe those residents
who were active might be recharged to attend to this project if
they were invited to a joint meeting of the Boards of Health and
Selectmen. (2) Frisoli asked to be updated weekly on efforts to
have School Construction Audits completed. Nugent to contact
Supt. Avery to follow-up. (3) Frisoli read a draft of letter to
Representative Marini noting the Board's support of extending
SBAB funding (in tact) through the year 2000. Board requests that
Marini testify on Hanson's behalf at the March 9, 1995 hearing on
this issue. Jones asked that Selectmen's efforts be coordinated
with the school department. Motion 2/28/95.6: move to send
letter drafted on this SBAB issue and discussed this evening
requesting Representative Marini testify for the Board at the
March 9th hearing. Motion made by Murdoch with second by Jones.
Motion carried 5-0. (4) Frisoli asked Nugent about the removal
of payment for Light bulbs from a previous warrant because the
light bulbs were too expensive. Nugent stated that the bulbs had
been shipped back to the company and finally accepted by them.
He reported that the accountant had not paid the bill because the
item had been requested removed from the warrant.
XI. Executive Secretary Report: (1) Nugent noted Ken Horne of
NYNEX to send report on double poles status for next meeting.
(2) MBTA to be at Library for public meeting on March 15th at
7:00pm. (3) Nugent drafted an article for Town Meeting requiring
Town Accountant to sign all purchase contracts certifying that
funds are available to pay the contract. (4) MMA regional update:
March 30 7-9 at Stonehill. (5) Board of Health / Trash Station
Override: Nugent and Board of Health secretary Karen Doucette
worked with the Accountant for figures presented this evening in
preparation for a warrant and ballot question. The figures for a
$175,000 override (adding .398 cents to the current rate) and
$200,000 override (adding .455 cents to the current rate) cost to
taxpayers presented along with the estimated cost per house
assessed at $100,000, $150,000 and $200,000. The average house
in Hanson is assessed at $128,00 which would cost at .455, $58.24
for an override of $200,000 which appears to be the figure to go
with in light of costs of trips, tonnage, electricity and wages.
Nugent to schedule the Board of Health for March 14 and will
prepare a draft of article and ballot question. (6) 100 Cycling
for Hospice Event discussed for the May 20th - routes 58 and 14
involved in Hanson. Nugent reported that the Police Chief has no
problem with the route etc. Motion 2/28/95.7: move to grant
permission for Hospice Bike-A-Thon in Hanson on May 20, 1995.
Motion by Murdoch with second by Frisoli. Motion carried 5-0.
XII. Adjournment: Next meeting (March 7) at 7:15pm here to sign
BANs and Warrant and then to go the Water Department for 7:30pm.
Motion 2/28/95.8: move to adjourn. Motion made by Flynn with
second by Murdoch. Motion carried 5-0. Adjourned at 11:01pm.
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